Series: The Jewish Calendar

Birkat Hachama

Birkat Hachama: Blessing on the Sun

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This video is class 4 of 28 in the series The Jewish Calendar.

In this shiur (Torah class), Rabbi Michael Taubes presents an overview of the unique Bikat Hachama, blessing on the sun. This bracha is only said once every 28 years, and falls out this year on Erev Pesach. Rabbi Taubes explains the reason and calculations behind the bracha, as well as provides insight into the significance of the event.

Tu B'Shvat

Tu B’shvat: Combining Heaven and Earth

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This video is class 10 of 28 in the series The Jewish Calendar.

In this shiur (Torah class), Rabbi Hershel Reichman discusses the holiday of Tu B’Shvat. From a Chassidic perspective, this class delves into the spiritual meaning and function of the day. Just as a tree, acts as a conduit between the rain-soaked earth and the blossoming fruit, Man’s purpose in this world is to use the word of G-d to galvanize himself to positive action. This class also discusses deep significance of each of the Seven Species that are unique to the Land of Israel.

Lag BaOmer

The Beauty of Every Jew

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This video is class 12 of 28 in the series The Jewish Calendar.

In honor of Lag BaOmer, Rebbetzin Heller delves into the idea of the beauty of each individual and how that theme relates to us. In this class, Rebbetzin Heller explains the deeper messages behind the deaths of the 24,000 students of Rabbi Akiva, and the gift that Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai bequeathed to us.

Rosh Chodesh

Rosh Chodesh and Women

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This video is class 13 of 28 in the series The Jewish Calendar.

In this Torah shiur (class), Rebbetzin Heller explores the relationship between Rosh Chodesh and women. We learn in the Torah, that the women’s faith was greater than the men’s, since they did not take part in the sin of the Golden Calf. Because of this, the women were rewarded with a “partial holiday” of Rosh Chodesh.